James A. Van Horn, Fond du Lac, WI (1938-2014)

James A. Van Horn, 75, of Fond du Lac, died Wednesday, March 5, 2014, at St. Agnes Hospital, Fond du Lac. He was born on Oct. 17, 1938, in Janesville, a son of the late Arthur and Stella Mary Breiby Van Horn. On Aug. 29, 1964, James married Gloria Jean Kerl. James served in the United States Marine Corps from 1957–1960 and the United States Coast Guard from 1973–1976. He retired from Giddings & Lewis in July of 2003. Following his retirement, he graduated from Fox Valley Technical College with a degree in horticulture. He loved the outdoors, especially hunting, fishing, camping, shooting sporting clays, and trap shooting. While hunting, he loved the company of his faithful dog, Nick. He was involved in the Ruffed Grouse Society, Izaak Walton League, and the Van Dyne Gun Club. He also enjoyed stock car racing, photography, woodworking, and completing building projects, specifically a wooden sailboat and a wooden canoe. He made daily trips to Fleet Farm to stock up on seed for his many bird feeders.

One of his proudest accomplishments as a father was seeing both of his daughters through college. Beyond his wife and daughters, he lived for his grandchildren. He watched them participate in school programs and athletics and loved sharing his passion of the outdoors with his grandkids, especially fishing. And most recently, he loved taking trips to the farm to visit his daughter and her family. The farm was one of the joys of his life.

James is survived by his wife, Gloria; a daughter, Lesley (Dean) Preissner and their two children, Hannah and Hunter; a daughter, Brenda (Joel) Alcantara and their two children, Joel and Carmen; nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a sister, Mildred Powers.

A memorial service will be held at 12 p.m. on Monday, March 10, 2014, at HOPE LUTHERAN CHURCH, 260 Vincent Street, with Rev. Steve Huff officiating. A memorial gathering will be from 4 until 6 p.m. on Sunday at the CHURCH and on Monday from 11 a.m. until the time of service. MACH FUNERAL CHAPEL & CREMATORY is serving the family, www.machfuneralchapel.com.